Burning Car Sparks Bushfire in New South Wales

An abandoned burning car has sparked a bushfire in Sydney’s south, prompting the closure of the M1 to southbound traffic.

Just after 2:15 today the alarm was raised after a passerby noticed the burning vehicle parked at the side of the M1 at Waterfall. Flames leapt into adjacent bushland sparking the blaze.

Fire and rescue crews from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service are working hard to control the spread of flames. Traffic is being diverted to the Princess Highway and motorists are advised to allow extra time on the roads.

It's just one of four fires that have spread over the last 24 hours, signalling the start of the bushfire season.

Around 1.2 square kilometres of bushland was destroyed last night following another vehicle fire at Beresfield, near Newcastle.

While hazard reduction burning on a naval base is believed to have started an out-of-control bushfire at Jervis Bay yesterday. And recently a grass fire in Penrith was quickly brought under control by crews.